To wear a cope, put on the alb or surplice and stole first, place the cope over the shoulders with the hood at the back, and fasten the morse or hook-and-chain closure at the breast. The cope stays open at the front, and the arms remain free. The whole process takes a few seconds once the alb and stole are in place.
This guide is written for priests, deacons, and sacristans who need a clear, repeatable vesting routine — especially before a procession or Benediction, when the cope has to sit correctly and stay closed at the breast.
What You Need
- Alb or surplice, with cincture if the alb requires one.
- Stole in the liturgical color.
- Cope in the matching color and style.
- Morse, clasp, or hook-and-chain closure.
- Mitre and crozier for a bishop.
Step-by-Step
- Put on the alb or surplice. The cope is worn over the alb or surplice, never over the chasuble.
- Put on the stole. A priest wears it straight down; a deacon wears it crossed over the chest.
- Pick up the cope by the front edges. Find the hood or shield and make sure it is at the back.
- Place it over the shoulders. Let the body fall evenly on both sides; the front edges should be parallel.
- Fasten the morse. Close the clasp or hook and chain at the breast. The cope should be secure but not tight.
- Check the drape. The hem should hang evenly; the hood should sit flat against the back.
- Add the mitre and crozier if you are a bishop.
How the Cope Should Sit
The cope should sit on the shoulders, not on the neck. The front edges should be parallel, with the morse at the center of the chest. The hood or shield should lie flat at the back. If the cope pulls to one side, the morse is probably too tight or the cope is not centered on the shoulders.
Wearing a Cope with a Mitre
A bishop wears the cope with the mitre and crozier at pontifical ceremonies, processions, and Benediction. The mitre is put on after the cope, and the crozier is taken when the bishop walks or blesses. For matching sets, see our Catholic copes and embroidered mitres.
Common Mistakes
- Wearing the cope over the chasuble — it goes over the alb or surplice.
- Fastening the morse too tight, which distorts the front edges.
- Letting the hood sit sideways instead of flat at the back.
- Using pins to shorten the cope; have it altered instead.
- Forgetting the stole before putting on the cope.
Carrying and Folding a Cope
In procession, the cope may be gathered over the arms or held at the sides. When taking it off, unfasten the morse first, then lift the cope from the shoulders by the front edges. Fold it loosely along the shoulders — never along the embroidery — and lay it flat or hang it on a wide padded hanger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the cope go over or under the stole?
A: Over the stole. The stole is put on first, then the cope over the shoulders.
Q: Which side does the hood go on?
A: The hood or shield goes at the back, centered between the shoulder blades.
Q: Can a deacon wear a cope?
A: Yes, when he presides at Benediction or Vespers, or assists at a solemn function. At Mass the deacon wears the dalmatic.
Q: How tight should the morse be?
A: Snug enough to keep the cope closed, but not so tight that it pulls the front edges out of line.
Q: How do I know the cope is the right length?
A: The hem should reach the top of the shoes without dragging. See our guide to cope sizes and measurements.
Conclusion
Vesting in a cope is simple once the order is fixed: alb, stole, cope, morse, hood, mitre. For the vestment itself, browse our Catholic cope collection.
